Nearly 6 in 10 Indian professionals say job titles don’t match their pay: Survey

Nearly six in 10 professionals in India say their job title does not reflect their compensation, highlighting a growing disconnect between professional recognition and financial reward in the workplace, according to Indeed’s latest quarterly hiring tracker.

The survey found that nearly 80% of professionals believe title inflation has become common across industries, with many reporting that colleagues are increasingly taking on senior-sounding designations without a corresponding increase in compensation.

Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India, said, “A job title has always carried professional identity. Titles remain meaningful because they signal opportunity and capability, but they are most effective when they reflect genuine career progression rather than becoming a substitute for it. Building that alignment will be increasingly important for organisations looking to attract and retain talent in a competitive market.”

Career growth is being measured beyond job titles

The findings indicate that professionals are increasingly evaluating career progression through a combination of title, pay, and responsibilities. Nearly one in three professionals who received a title change in the past two years said it came with either no salary increase or an increment of less than 5%. Meanwhile, 52% said they would choose a higher salary over a better designation when considering a new opportunity, suggesting that while titles can create career visibility, compensation remains a key measure of professional value.

At the same time, professionals continue to place importance on designations. Nearly 70% said their designation plays an important role in shaping future career opportunities, while almost 73% believe a stronger title improves how potential employers perceive them. A further 57% said their designation has a significant impact on their overall job satisfaction.

The findings suggest that employees are not dismissing job titles, but increasingly expect them to be supported by meaningful compensation and genuine career progression.

Employers increasingly use titles as a talent tool

The employer perspective offers further context to the trend. According to the survey, 57% of employers said their organisations use senior-sounding or enhanced job titles to some or a great extent to attract or retain talent.

This indicates that designations are increasingly being used as a strategic talent lever alongside compensation. For organisations operating under salary constraints, enhanced titles can serve as a way to recognise employee growth, attract candidates and retain high-performing talent. Employers also pointed to changing market expectations and evolving organisational structures as factors contributing to the use of more senior titles.

However, the findings reveal a potential disconnect between how employers and employees perceive career progression. While organisations may view titles as one of several tools for recognising and retaining talent, employees continue to associate meaningful advancement strongly with financial growth.

This expectation gap is influencing how professionals assess job opportunities, measure career success and define meaningful progression in today’s labour market.

A broader shift in how professionals define career success

The survey points to a broader shift in how professionals define career success. While a better designation continues to matter, it is increasingly viewed as insufficient on its own.

For today’s workforce, the most meaningful promotion may be one where title, responsibility and compensation move together. As India’s labour market evolves, organisations that can better align these three elements may be better positioned to attract, retain, and motivate talent.